Dean Skelos, Son Plead Not Guilty In Corruption Case

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Former New York Senate Leader Dean Skelos and his son have pleaded not guilty in a federal corruption case.

An indictment levels conspiracy and extortion charges against Dean Skelos, 67, and his son, Adam, 32. They were arraigned Monday in Manhattan.

The indictment returned Thursday says a medical malpractice insurer provided Adam Skelos with a no-show job while it lobbied his father on legislative matters.

Authorities allege $300,000 was illegally steered to the son.

“Dean Skelos’ support for certain infrastructure projects and legislation was often based not on what was good for his constituents or good for New York, but rather on what was good for his son’s bank accounts,” U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said last month.

Dean Skelos was New York state’s most powerful Republican when he was arrested.

The senator has said he will fight the charges and that he and his son will be vindicated. His son’s lawyer has said Adam Skelos is not guilty.

Dean Skelos is the second high-profile Albany lawmaker to be arrested this year. In January, former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was charged with exploiting his power to take $4 million in kickbacks.